Carlo decides to retire; Superintendent steps down in Dec.

Byline: Elaine Thompson

MARLBORO - Eugene F. Carlo, superintendent at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, has announced he will retire in December.

The 57-year-old Worcester native, who lives in Grafton, has worked at the school since it opened in 1973. After graduating in 1973 from Nichols College in Dudley, he began his career as a business teacher and soon took on the jobs of track and field and football coach, and class adviser. He was appointed business manager in 1987, and superintendent-director in 1994.

Mr. Carlo said working at Assabet "has been a dream come true." He said retiring from the school is something he, nor anyone who knows him, ever envisioned.

"I thought one day someone from the school would call my family and say, `I think he passed away at his desk. Can you come and get him?' And my family would say, `We expected it, so we'll come get him,'" Mr. Carlo quipped.

His only grandchild, 3-year-old Demetri, played an important role in his realization that he has fulfilled his dream and it's time to pass the ball to someone else. He said the two have separation anxiety when Demetri leaves to go home.

"I had a weekend of enjoyment with my grandson and I realized that many of those years I had missed with my own kids, so given the opportunity, I think it's time to step aside," he said.

The School Committee unanimously appointed Principal Mary Jo Nawrocki, who was recently named Massachusetts High School Principal of the Year, to succeed Mr. Carlo.

Throughout his career, Mr. Carlo has been a tireless advocate for vocational-technical students and teachers. He is on the board of directors for the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, and he is one of only three superintendents to be twice honored with the association's prestigious President's Award. He is a past president and current member of the board of directors for the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators.

Mr. Carlo was instrumental in securing the passage of legislation that recognized the private-sector service of vocational licensed educators toward their retirement, helping to recruit and retain teachers from the private sector into the profession of vocational-technical education. For this effort, he was honored by the Massachusetts Vocational Association with the Harold Pride Award, the most honored of that association's awards.

Mr. Carlo is also on the board of directors of the Massachusetts Association of Regional School Districts, where he advocates for increased funding for transportation and updating many regulations affecting the regional schools. He is a past president of the Worcester County Superintendents' Association, and he is on the Voting Commission for Accreditation for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The School Committee has given Mr. Carlo rave reviews year after year.

"He is not just an adept manager, but he is a good person. He loves his kids, and, in his mind, they are all his kids. Beyond that, he cares for each staff member working for him as well," said Committee Chairwoman Lynn Ryan of Berlin. "He somehow sees and is able to find hidden talents in individuals, and then helps those people grow into new positions. That's the beauty of a superintendent like Gene Carlo."

Mr. Carlo has no immediate plans, but said his wife, Debbie, has told him he had better find something to occupy the 75 to 80 hours he spent at the school each week.

One thing he will be doing is spending most of the winter at the family home in Florida.

"I'm looking forward to painting some coconuts, taking a deep breath, and figuring out what I want to do when I grow up," he said.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Mr. Carlo